A few weeks ago, features copy editor Jay Thompson said it was impossible to make the perfect road CD – a claim, I thought, was absurd. (I think I even proclaimed, “BOSH!”)
In order to prove him wrong, I offered to make him a road CD, boasting that, yes, it would be the perfect road companion. He, in turn, offered to make me a surf compilation. Then we decided we’d blog about the two projects with features writer Sarah Linn sizing them up in the end.
There were a few rules, which you can see on our last blog on the subject.
Mindful of the “nothing obvious” rule, I had to disqualify songs like “On the Road Again,” “Ramblin’ Man” and “Truckin.’” And I had to resist putting songs on the comp just because they mentioned traveling or cars.
Still other tough choices had to be made. I started out with around 50 songs, and with much pain I decided to cut some gems, including songs by the Eagles, The Shins, the Stones and the Commodores. And then I thought: Why didn’t I include Springsteen’s cover of “Viva Las Vegas?”
Dang.
But, hey – life is about tough choices, right?
Here are the liner notes I made for Jay’s comp:
Life in the Pat Lane (Road Music)
(Everybody Wanna Get Rich) Rite Away – Dr. John
You’ve packed your clothes, got a full tank of gas and a bag of Twizzlers at your side. Now let’s start it out with a little Cajun funk.
Either Way – Wilco
There will be a lot of oldies on this CD. But just to show that I’m not completely mired in the past, here’s a new one.
Redwood Tree – Van Morrison
Morrison has a lot of great driving songs. This one is perfect for that trip to Yosemite.
Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson
Is there a better feel-good musician out there right now?
Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra
This one just makes me bop my head, from an underrated band that offered their unique and complicated spin to the obvious Beatles influence.
Everybody’s Talkin’ – Harry Nilsson
It was, of course, used in the famous “Urban Cowboy” scene and then cleverly copied in “Borat.” But I think any song that begins with a picked guitar makes for a good road song.
Church on Time – Ben Harper w/Blind Boys of Alabama
A Sunday driving song, for sure, Blind Boys really brought the soul out in Harper on this album.
San Francisco Days – Chris Isaak
In his liner notes, Isaak says he listens to this when driving into San Francisco. Rightly so – it’s a perfect soundtrack to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Burning Love – Elvis Presley
I remember seeing some documentary about Elvis, where they played this as they were on the tour bus, and it was perfect. And for the record, I love the jumpsuit Elvis!
Two of Us – The Beatles
Any Beatles songs threatens to violate my “nothing obvious” rule of comp CDs. But this isn’t as played as much as “Hey Jude” or “Yesterday.” And it just creates a perfect driving visual.
Interstate Love Song – Stone Temple Pilots
Time to rock it up a bit. I just love the chorus on this one.
If You Want Me to Stay – Sly and the Family Stone
I wind up putting this one on a lot of comp CDs, because it’s just a great song. And the beginning bass line will synchronize well with your wheels while driving in city traffic.
Six Days on the Road – Taj Mahal
My mom was a corporate secretary for many years, then somehow wound up driving a big rig from Indiana to California and back. So naturally I put this one, about a trucker (with nice use of metaphor), on her last comp CD.
If She Wants Me – Belle and Sebastian
Jack Black’s character in High Fidelity doesn’t think much of these guys. But he might have changed his mind after this one came out.
Santa Monica – Everclear
Picture the pier, the palm trees and the traffic along the Pacific Coast Highway. If that doesn’t help you picture Santa Monica, think “Three’s Company.”
New York’s Not My Home – Jim Croce
My wife thought this one slowed things down too much, but, gosh darn it, I like it. It’s perfect for a longing, somber drive where you wish you were somewhere else.
Los Paraguayos – Rod Stewart
She also thought I should cut this one out. But I love hearing this when I drive, especially when the drums kick in.
Going Mobile – The Who
I paid a scalper $50 back in ’89 to see The Who in Washington, D.C. Still one of the best shows I’ve ever seen – even without Keith Moon.
Coming Into Los Angeles – Arlo Guthrie
He sang this at Woodstock. The busy little guitar fillers make it great for the road. And, yeah – it’s about traveling to L.A.
Hey Hey What Can I Do – Led Zeppelin
It was between this and “Goin’ To California,” because I wanted to mention how we requested “Goin’ ” on the radio as we drove out of Indiana. But that one seemed a little obvious. And this one moves a little more.
You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything – Faces
Rod Stewart again. I considered “Ooh La La” by Faces, but since that was on a commercial a while back, I thought it would be lame.
Please Don’t Go – Stevie Wonder
One of my long-standing comp CD rules: Always, always, always include a Stevie song.
Well, to everything there is a season. So now it’s time to eject the CD, unload the car and toss the empty Twizzlers bag.
– Pat L.
Posted on June 18th, 2007 by Pat
Filed under: Music
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